Mundgod, South India National Conference

Report

National Conference on Nalanda Buddhism in 21st Century - Re-tracing the source in the Footsteps of Acharyas: From Nalanda to the Himalayas at

Gaden Sharste Monastery, Mundgod, District Uttar Kannada, Karnataka

on 14th Oct. 2024

Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition (IHCNBT) is organized a National Conference on Nalanda Buddhism in 21st Century - Re-tracing the source in the Footsteps of Acharyas: From Nalanda to the Himalayas at Gaden/Drepuing Monastery, Mundgod, District Uttar Kannada, Karnataka on 14th Oct. 2024.

The Chief Guest for the Conference His Holiness The Gaden Tripa Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin Palsangpo spoke on the Nalanda Buddhsim as the source from Nalanda University and the great Nalanda master like Acharya Shantarakshita, Nagarjuna, Guru Padmasambhava and others. He spoke on the importance of Nalanda Buddhism teachings in today’s times of the conflicts in different countries. How Nalanda Buddhist teachings can be solace to the troubled times of the humanity. The other dignitaries on the dias were the great Buddhist masters of the Abbot of the Gaden Shartse Monastery, Gaden Jangtse Monaster, Drepung Gomang Monastery, Drepung Loseling Monastery, Venrable Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche, Secretary General, IBC, who gave the keynote address and focused on the theme of what is Nlanada Buddhism, its philosophy and core teachings of reasoning, logic, compassion, Vipasana Meditation and the four Noble truths and eight fold path and from Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition (IHCNBT), the Vice President, Ven. Lama Geshe Chopshel Zotpa, Khench Lha Tshering Rinpoche form Sikkim, Ven. Tsering Chopshel from Ladakh Gonpa Association, Venerable Shatup Jampa Lama, Venerable Tulku Sangey Yontan, Sh. Cherring Dorjay, President, Ladakh Buddhist Association, Gomang Khensur Lobsang Gyalysen, Directo of Geluk Foundation, Gyuto Khensur Thupten Tenzin and Lobsang khetup and Sh. Maling Gombu, General Secretary, IHCNBT.

The deliberations on the theme of Nalanda Buddhism: Its History & Development in the footsteps of Nalanda masters, The Core Philosophy and Practice of Nalanda Buddhism and the Different forms of Buddhism in 21st century. The themes deliberated on the beginning of the different forms of Buddhism and the education in monastic institutions, the various divisions of Mahayana philosophy and Nalanda University, the way philosophy of no creator god of Buddhism moving in hand in hand with modern science, Science and mind related to Buddhism, the main philosophical difference between non Buddhist and Buddhist and the chronology of development Buddhist philosophy in Nalanda and the aftermath.

The deliberations on the theme/topics:

1.Nalanda Buddhism: the History and Development of Nalanda Buddhism: Re-tracing the source in the footsteps of Nalanda masters/Archaryas.

2.The Core Philosophy and practise of Nalanda Buddhism,

3.Different forms of Buddhism in today’s world of 21st century: Challenges and Responses,

The Scholars who presented the papers on the topic of Nalanda Buddhism: the History and Development of Nalanda Buddhism: Re-tracing the source in the footsteps of Nalanda masters/Archaryas was Venerable tulku Tenzin Lekshed Rinpoche from Gaden Shartse Monastery and hailing from Spitti, Himachal Pradesh. He spoke on the journey of Nalanda Buddhism and its historical development and its influence in the Indian Himalayan region and Tibet.

The second and the fourth scholar presented a Paper on the topic of The Core Philosophy and practise of Nalanda Buddhism, by Venerable Aka Tulku Tsering Chaijee Rinpoche from Gaden Jangtse Monastery hailing from Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh and Ven. Geshe Thupten Wangdus from Drepung Gomang monastery spoke on the basic teachings of Nalanda Buddhism based on logic and reasoning philosophy.

1.The third speaker Venerable Thupten Sherap from Drepung Loseling Monastery spoke on the topic of Different forms of Buddhism in today’s world of 21st century: Challenges and Responses.

The presentation of papers were followed by question & Answer session for all the topics wherein the discussion and deliberations took place between the monastic communities.

The silent features that came out of the conference were:

1. Around 323 Monastic members consisting of Buddhist scholars, Monks and Nuns from the Monastery of Gaden Shartse, Gaden Jangtse, Drepung Gomang, Drepung Loseling and Jangchub Choeling Nunnery from the Himalayan region came together in the Conference to deliberate on Nalanda Buddhism narrative as against the common narrative of Tibetan Buddhism or Mahayana Buddhism.
2. The primary objective of the conference to facilitate debate, discussions, research presentations and cultural exchanges related to the Nalanda Buddhist tradition, with a specific focus on its influence, preservation, and evolution to re-tracing the source in the footsteps of Acharyas: from Nalanda to Himalaya and beyond was successful with good participation from the monastic scholars from the Himalayan region.
3. The Monastic education Course of NIOS education board developed by IHCNBT and NIOS was welcomed as a much needed initiative for the recognition of the monastic education for the monks. The Monastic institutions will take Accreditation with NIOS after the meeting with the Monastery authorities.
4. Nalanda Buddhism with cross cultural relations which is one of the powerful factors of cultural mobilization and social stability in the Himalayan region will continue to play key role in national integration and further consolidation of this strategic areas of the country and the Conference on the theme of Nalanda Buddhism tracing to its roots was an important step in the direction.
5. The Monastic community in the different monasteries from the Himalayan region will send 10 t0 12 names of the Members for IHCNBT very soon after the internal meeting of the Associations.
6. The Monastic Community has felt strongly that the Government is concerned of the Monastic education and is contributing to the Monastic education development for the Himalayan monk students who so far are dependent on the Tibetan Monasteries and the Tibetan Govt. in Exile.